September 13th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Over the past week, the Cumberland Police Department, in cooperation with the Allegany County Board of Education, has been actively investigating a series of threats made against local schools. Fortunately, all reported incidents have been determined to be non-credible and have been classified as pranks.

As part of the investigations, officers recovered three toy guns and seized multiple student cell phones and computers. Several students have been arrested in connection with these incidents, and additional arrests are pending. The Cumberland Police Department is committed to pursuing the maximum penalties allowed by law in each of these cases.

In addition to legal actions, the Allegany County Board of Education has taken disciplinary measures and expelled many of the students involved in these incidents.

The Cumberland Police Department would like to thank the members of our community for their vigilance and continued efforts to report concerning activities involving our youth. It is through this collective cooperation that we can maintain the safety of our children.

Chief Ternent and all the officers at CPD urges all parents to have candid conversations with their children about school safety and responsible behavior. Please make it clear to your children that law enforcement is taking these threats very seriously, and that their actions can lead to severe consequences. Remind them that bringing toy or simulated weapons—or any items that could be perceived as weapons—to school is strictly prohibited. Disruptive behavior not only affects their own education but also the safety and wellbeing of the entire community, as it diverts critical police resources.

We encourage parents, students, and community members to continue reporting any suspicious or concerning behavior. The Cumberland Police Department remains dedicated to doing everything in our power to ensure the safety and security of our schools and students.